The fossil record came alive for marine scientists in 1987,
when a unique and vibrant species known as glass sponge coral was discovered
living just off the Pacific Coast of North America. These 9,000 year old glass sponges are
composed almost entirely of glass (silica) and exist individually in deep
seawater or scaffold together to build large reef communities deep on the ocean
floor. Located beyond scuba depths,
these reefs remain unreachable to many scientists and can only be studied up
close using undersea technology.

The rare glass sponge species have only been discovered in
four areas of the ocean: Antarctica, Southern New Zealand, caves in the
Mediterranean and the off the western Canadian continental shelf. Unique to the rest, the glass sponge colonies
residing within Canadian borders are the only sizable reef building colonies. These colonies are located in the Hecate
Strait and the Strait of Georgia in British Columbia and make up seven full size reefs.

Glass sponge reefs provide structure to the otherwise barren
sea floor, and provides habitats for fish and other small invertebrates. The globally unique features of the
glass sponge reefs attract species of crabs, shrimps, prawns and rockfish (full grown and juveniles).

Due to the delicate structure, glass sponge communities are
affected greatly by physical disturbances and threats. Scientists have also noted that damaged or
dead sponge reefs have much less activity of local life. Trawling shatters all glass sponges in
its path causing massive areas of reef mortality. Indirect physical disturbances also pose
an unknown risk, leading marine biologists to suspect that excess man-made
sedimentation would have detrimental effects.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada have designated the Hecate
Strait as a no trawling zone, and in 2010 stated that it is an ‘area of
interest’ for a future Marine Protected Area. Canadian Parks & Wildlife Society - British Columbia Chapter (CPAWS-BC) and other conservation authorities are pushing for smaller reefs within the
Strait of Georgia to get the same consideration.

On October 15th and 16th, CPAWS-BC and
Nuytco will join in partnership to give a select group of influential Canadians
along with a few lucky Canadians the opportunity to see the unique beauty these
reefs possess. Six submarine trips will
embark on a 90 minute expedition along the Strait of Georgia in the Aquarius
Submarine. Footage will also be recorded
to document the health, condition and urgency for protection of these reefs.

Although the significance and contribution of the sponge
reefs are unknown it is clear that without intervention and solid protection strategies the
opportunity for study will be eliminated.
This is our chance as Canadians to protect one of our sacred homeland ecosystems. Let’s help CPAWS protect the reefs while they are
still there to protect.

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You can win a spot on a submarine dive to the glass sponge reefs! Open to all Canadian residents over 19 years of age. Click here to enter. Closes September 19.